They may have been made to wait an extra hour. But Liverpool ultimately got the job done in Italy on Tuesday afternoon.
A 1-1 draw at Milan was enough for a much-changed Reds under-19 side to finish top of Group B and progress directly to the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League.
Mateusz Musialowski's fourth-minute opener was cancelled out 12 minutes from time by Milan substitute Marco Nasti, with the hosts then having Victor Eletu sent off.
With Porto losing 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid in a later kick-off, Liverpool have now won their group on each of the four occasions they have played the competition.
PAUL GORST: 'Mohamed Salah makes new contract point as Liverpool puzzle continues with Divock Origi'
IAN DOYLE: 'Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sparks panic but helps Liverpool set incredible new record'
And given the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona failed to make even the play-offs this campaign, it's an achievement that should not be overlooked.
Gordon's new position
If Liverpool were, for a variety of reasons, deprived a number of regulars on Tuesday, there was one familiar face in the starting line-up.
Not, however, in a familiar position.
Kaide Gordon - who was ineligible for the Champions League group stages - lined up on the left flank with Liverpool coach Marc Bridge-Wilkinson keen to give the in-form Melkamu Frauendorf a chance to roam down his favourited right flank.
It wasn't the first time Gordon, usually on the right, had featured on the opposite flank, having scored twice against Leeds United when starting there for the U18s last season.
And Gordon soon made the most of it with his part in the swift opening goal, although his raids down the left were limited before he and Fraudendorf were switched shortly after half-time.
With Milan pressing, the duo then both had greater space in which to threaten and Oakley Cannonier, making his first start in the competition, also started to sense opportunities late on.
Musialowski takes step
Mateusz Musialowski would be the first to admit he has been suffering from a bout of second-season syndrome.
Having enjoyed a hugely impressive debut campaign for the U18s, the 18-year-old has found life somewhat more difficult since stepping up to the U23s this term.
Indeed, the Pole had been benched for the last two UEFA Youth League games before given a starting opportunity in Milan due to the plethora of absences.
He didn't waste time making the most of it, showing composure and precision to volley home a Luke Chambers cross for the opener. It was his fourth goal of the season and a first in this competition.
While Musialowski still needs experience to help iron out a few foibles in his game - the teenager can hold on to the ball too long at times and his decision-making has room for improvement - there have been recent signs of him better coming to terms with the extra physicality of the higher age groups.
And there's certainly no issue with his vision or creativity, as proven by a 40-yard effort that narrowly dropped the wrong side of the post in the second half.
Koumetio and Mabaya show class
Another player not having the most straightforward of seasons is Billy Koumetio.
Almost a year ago to the day, the French centre-back was given his first taste of senior football when he appeared for the second half in the 1-1 Champions League dead rubber at FC Midtjylland.
The last 12 months have seen him continue his progress away from the glare of the first team, a path that hasn't been without its bumps and hurdles.
Koumetio, though, has often reserved his best performances for the UEFA Youth League, and was again in impressive form in Milan.
The 19-year-old set the tone with a cool, composed early piece of defending to clear a threat inside the area, and regularly used his undoubted physical might in the right fashion to thwart the hosts.
Encouraging, too, were the showings from marauding 17-year-old right-back Isaac Mabaya and Chambers, revelling in being restored to his more accustomed position at left-back.
